New farmers' market opens in Bolivia

By Jason GonzalesJason.Gonzales@StarNewsOnline.com

Thursday

Jul 11, 2013 at 5:38 PM

The county health department and the cooperative extension feel the number of markets doesn't even touch the need.

Joyce Hair brings her locally grown produce to farmers' markets throughout Southeastern North Carolina.On the appropriate day of the week, you can find her at Oak Island, Southport, Shallotte or Wilmington. And with the opening of Brunswick County's newest farmers' market, in Bolivia.There are plenty of markets, but as she explained, “there's a need for good, local produce.”And both the county health department and the cooperative extension feel the number and frequency of the markets doesn't even touch the need. Both agencies hope the area's newest market, held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays near the social services building at the government center, will be able to educate people about, and feed them, healthy food.“Nationwide one in five people don't eat enough fruits and vegetables,” said Fred Michael, Brunswick County deputy health director. “(In Brunswick County) we are pretty standard with that.”Mark Blevins, county extension director, said the motto of the market is, ”If you grow it here, and eat it now, then it's for sale.”The most important part of the market is reaching county employees and visitors so they have healthier options, he said. “We want to replace certain foods with fresh and healthy stuff that is local and is growing nearby, and we want to get that into people's bellies,” he said. Bill Hagler, a visitor to the market's first session Thursday, said the market, and markets like it, are necessary. Hagler left with a green, basketball-size sugar baby watermelon he cradled under his right arm.There were four farmers signed up for the market, and Hagler said he hopes it grows.“This is a big area, and it's vital to get food to people who do business here,” he said.Michael agreed with that statement. He said the markets do what supermarkets cannot by bringing food to the people.“A part of this is access,” he said.But it's also about convenience, he noted.“People want the food to come to them,” he said.

Jason Gonzales: 343-2075On Twitter: @StarNews_Jason

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